Der Unfallchirurg
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Case Reports
[Fatal hyperpyrexia in an adolescent patient with severe burns after a traffic accident].
After a motorcycle accident a 16-year-old patient suffered severe burns to 40.5 % of the total body surface area (TBSA) of which 37 % were deep subdermal burns. After tangential and partly epifascial necrosectomy, Integra® was used as a temporary dermis replacement material for the lower extremities, combined with extensive negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). In the further course of the treatment the patient developed uncontrollable hyperpyrexia with a fatal outcome. Possible influencing factors, such as the dermis replacement material combined with NPWT over large areas as well as the differential diagnoses propofol infusion syndrome, heatstroke and malignant hyperthermia are discussed.
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Emergency department personnel are at risk of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Previous studies have shown that the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) virus infections among trauma patients is higher compared to the general population. ⋯ Further educational measures for emergency department personnel are required to increase the knowledge of occupational infections and compliance with standard precautions. Every healthcare worker needs to be sufficiently vaccinated against HBV. In the case of injury awareness of all measures of post-exposure prophylaxis is of utmost importance for affected personnel.
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Case Reports
[Sternal fracture in growing children : A rare and often overlooked fracture? Documentation of four cases.]
Sternal fractures in childhood are rare. The aim of the study was to investigate the accident mechanism, the detection of radiological and sonographical criteria and consideration of associated injuries. ⋯ Isolated sternal fractures in childhood are often due to typical age-related traumatic incidents. Ultrasonography is a useful diagnostic tool for fracture detection and radiography is the method of choice for visualization of the extent of the dislocation.